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. J. E. WELLER.

SELF GOVERNING GULTIVATOR.

No. 245,423. Patented Aug. 9,1881.

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JAMES E. VELLER, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WM. R. BEEBE AND S. E. \VALBRIDGE, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

SELF-GOVERNING -CUl..'l'l\H-\'l'QR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,423, dated August 9, 1881,

Application filed March 28, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES E. l/VELLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Self-Governing Cultivator, of \vhich'the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for cultivating the soil which are constructed with hinged to independent beams, to which the teeth or shares are secured; and it has for its object certain improvements in the same, herinafter fully set forth, whereby shares connected with such beams do more effectual work, are

1'5 more conveniently and accurately controlled,

and the device is to a certain extent self-governing.

The construction effecting my improvements consists in dividing the beams bearing the teeth off into lots of three beams in each, or other suitable number, and connecting said beams of each lot with a short bar, said connection being effected by a spring securely fastened to said beams and loosely connected to said connecting-bar by loose bolts. These several short connecting-bars of each lot are all connected with a long bar running obliquely across lllGIIl and parallel with the axle of the machine, said connection being either rigid or otherwise by means of the loose bolts. To said long bar is connected a bar by pivot, which supports a weight-arm that is jointedly connected with it, said weight arm bearing an adjustable Weight, and is pivoted to an up- 5 right hand-lever engaging a ratchet-plate.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Figure l is a top view of my improved cultivator complete; Fig. 2, a cross-section on the line of the weightarm in Fig. l; Fig.3,adetached perspective ofweightarm and su iporting-connections; Fig. 4, a detached portion, showing the method of hinging the share-beams; Fig. 5, the same in side view; and Fig. 6, a detached portion of three beams,with springs and short connecting-bar.

In Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated a cultivatort'rame, 13, supported by wheels D, having a rod supported by braces r r, to which rod are hinged the share-beams a a, bearing teeth F F. The hinging of' said beams a a is effected by confining-clips m, which arekept apart by thimbles h, threaded on the rod between said clips. The eyesin the braces 1', through which the hinge-rod passes, take the place of thim- 5 bles hat the points where they are located. The beams a a are graduated in regard to length in lots of three, as seen in the drawings. This elfects a more practical arrangement of teeth and allows obstructions to pass out between the short and long contiguous teeth of the lots or divisions. On the top rear end of these graduated associated share-beams are rigidly. secured springs c, of any suitable construction, preferably as shown, and to said springs the connecting-bar c is pivoted by means ot'the loose bolts 0. These bolts, called loose bolts for convenience, are inserted in holes somewhat larger than themselves, and have a space bet-ween the device they pass through and the nut. This allows the toothbeams to drop down or the connecting bars or beams c to be raised up a given distance without affecting the spring, thus imparting greater freedom of action to the teeth and all parts thus connected.

The purpose of the short bars 0 is to locate the bearing of bar d at the same point on each share-beam. Were said share-beams all of the same length, beams c, if desired, might be dispensed with. Each rank of share-beams connected by bar 0 is pivoted to bar 61 by a loose bolt, 0, passing through both bars 0 and d; or this connection may be rigid, as in Fig. 2.

The purpose of the long bar at is to bring control upon all the tooth-beams in unison, when desired, by means of weight E on arm 1, and also when desiring to release all the teeth from the soil at once by lever o. The weightarm y is jointedly connected with bar it, said 0 bar being hinged to the rear of frame B and pivoted to bar 61 by support or standard d.

By removing some of the center share-beams or by embodying my construction in a device especially adapted for the purpose a success- 5 ful corn-cultivator may be formed.

My device as illustrated is adapted for preparing the soil for seeding; but by connecting a seed-box in the usual manner it can be successfully used as a seeder.

In operation the device is adjusted in accordance with the state of the soil and the ef- IOO feet desired by means of lever 11 and weight F. Moving the weight toward the rear increases the stiffness of springs e, and hence bears them down harder on the share-beams. Still, by this. peculiar construction the action of the teeth and other parts isjust the same as when the weight is at other locations or when the teeth run shallow, and each share-beam is independent of the others in its capacity to clear obstructions. If the weight E is located at the farthest point to the rear on arm 3 and still greater bearing down on the teeth is desired, it may be effected by the driver bringing lever-arm 2; toward him, which inclines the arm 3 rearwardly and increases the pressure.

One prominent point in favor of my device is the cheapness of its construction, by which I am enabled to do the same work as devices costing double the price. Another is that the shares or terth do not extend beyond the rear of the transporting-wheels, and hence my de vice has a very light draft.

I do not claim to be the originator of independently-hinged share-beams; but

Vhat I do claim and desire to secure is l. The independent light share-beams hearing springs loosely connected to theloose bolts, in combination with the diagonal short bars, connecting lone cross-bar, and the weight-arm, whereby the share-beams are given a free vertical play on said bolts and are controlled and operated substantially as set forth.

2. In a harrow or cultivator, the sharebeams a, independently pivoted to the crossbar (1, in combination with the standard (1, bar 73, hinged to the rear side of the frame, lever 0, and weightarm a ,substantially as shown and described.

3. In a harrow oreultivator, the clusters of independently-hinged share-beams of graduated lengths, each beam having a spring secured on its rear end which is loosely connected with a short bar connecting the beams of each cluster, in combination with the coupling-bar secured to the short bars and bearing the weight-arm and its supporting-bar, all substantially as shown and described.

JAMES E. \VELLER.

Witnesses S. E.-WALBRIDGE, WM. R. BEEBE. 

